Letter 49 Commentary

Anna Howe writes this letter to Clarissa to inform her of an unexpected meeting she had with Lovelace. Anna tells Clarissa that if she were to marry anyone else, Lovelace said she would become one of the “youngest” and “loveliest widows” in England. Lovelace clearly shows that he intends to kill the man that Clarissa marries, but Anna finds no heroism in his threats. She believes that if Lovelace were to carry out such an action, Clarissa would still be the victim and her family would be robbed of a “valuable” child.

Anna clearly shows in this letter that she knows Clarissa better than anyone else.  She explicitly tells Lovelace that if the choice was Clarissa’s, she would stay single. Clarissa does not agree with the casual life Lovelace has led, and therefore she is weary of him. Anna is shocked that Lovelace thinks that a woman of Clarissa’s virtue would marry a rake like him. Anna also tells Lovelace that he underestimates Clarissa. Though she is kind and virtuous, she is not weak.

Anna ends the letter by giving Clarissa the best advice she could possibly receive—marry neither Solmes, nor Lovelace and live the single life. Anna knows that Clarissa does have the financial means to live alone; therefore, there is no pressure to marry either one of them. But, unfortunately, Clarissa does not take Anna’s advice.